Woman allegedly stole dog from elderly nun

UPI News Service, 01/09/2013

An animal control officer in Florida is accused of grabbing the Chihuahua she used to own from an elderly nun who had received it as a gift, authorities say.

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The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Animal Control Officer Lori Holland, 41, of Winter Haven had given 1-year-old MoJo away to an acquaintance to then gave the little dog to an 82-year-old nun recovering from a triple-bypass and a recent hip surgery, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Wednesday.

Holland showed up at the nun's home three days later, claiming she was planning to drop off a sweater and a collar for MoJo.

However, once inside the home, Holland told the nun she had come "to take MoJo with me," the arrest report said.

The women allegedly argued for 30 minutes and eventually got into a tug-of-war with the dog that ended with the nun letting go out of fear of hurting MoJo.

Holland was arrested on charges of burglary and robbery. Authorities said she resigned her position with Animal Control after her arrest.